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Package of Melba Pellet Hops packaged in a UV and O2 barrier Mylar bag.
Melba
A/A: 7.0-10.0%
Australia
Dual Purpose
1 oz. Pellet Hops
Ingredients: Hops

Melba Hops - Australian Grown T-90 Pellets

by SoCal Brewing Supply
$2.59 - $19.99
$2.59
$2.59 - $19.99
$2.59

Melba hops for Australian citrus, grapefruit, and passionfruit character

Melba hops are Australian-grown T-90 pellet hops from the Ellerslie breeding program. They are a dual-purpose variety with enough alpha acid for practical bittering, but the main reason to use Melba is its bright late-hop character: citrus, grapefruit, passionfruit, and other summery fruit notes.

Use Melba when you want Australian hop flavor that is fruit-forward without being as intense as Galaxy. Early additions can provide clean, slightly spicy bitterness. Late kettle, whirlpool, and dry-hop additions bring out the citrus and passionfruit side more clearly.

Brewing character

  • Origin: Australia.
  • Hop form: T-90 pellet hops.
  • Purpose: dual purpose.
  • Typical alpha acid range: 7.0-10.0%.
  • Typical beta acid range: 2.5-5.0%.
  • Typical total oils: 2.0-4.0 mL/100 g.
  • Flavor and aroma: citrus, grapefruit, passionfruit, floral fruit, light resin, and gentle spice.

Best beer styles for Melba

Melba is a strong fit for Australian pale ale, American pale ale, IPA, hazy IPA, saison, amber ale, and fruit-leaning wheat beer. It can handle a clean bittering charge, but most brewers will get the best value from Melba in late additions where the grapefruit and passionfruit notes stay visible.

For related Australian hop options, compare Galaxy, Vic Secret, Topaz, and Pride of Ringwood.

How to use Melba hops

For bitterness, add Melba near the start of the boil and calculate IBUs from your recipe software using the alpha acid value on your package when available. For flavor and aroma, use Melba in the last 10-15 minutes, whirlpool, or dry hop. Later additions are the better choice when the goal is citrus, grapefruit, and passionfruit rather than simple bitterness.

Keep T-90 pellet hops cold and sealed until brew day. After opening, press out excess air, reseal tightly, and store cold to protect the hop oils that give Melba its fruit-forward profile.

FAQ

What does Melba hops taste like?
Melba is known for citrus, grapefruit, passionfruit, and summery fruit character, with light floral, resinous, and spicy notes in the background.

Is Melba a bittering or aroma hop?
Melba is dual purpose. It can bitter cleanly, but late kettle, whirlpool, and dry-hop additions show off its fruit character better.

What can I use instead of Melba?
Galaxy is the closest Australian comparison when you want passionfruit-heavy hop character, though it is usually more intense. Vic Secret or Topaz can also fit Australian hop-forward recipes, depending on the flavor direction you want.